Social media reacts to Keegan Murray’s fantastic NBA debut with the Sacramento Kings
What a debut it was for Keegan Murray!
It’s amazing what a couple of months can do for a player. When Murray was drafted, there were a lot of detractors of the pick in the national media. Lot of people and pundits questioned passing up on fellow Big Ten star Jaden Ivey, who looks very promising as well for Detroit early on, for a “boring” prospect in Iowa‘s Murray.
Murray has been anything but boring for Sacramento so far in his short time in the NBA. He looked fantastic in Summer League, winning the Summer League MVP. It wasn’t just the plain stats that were impressive, though, it was how he was scoring.
He wasn’t just iso-ing through possessions to try and make a play happen. He played complementary basketball within a real offense, taking the shots when the chances were there. He stepped up and earned a tough bucket when he needed to, and he had no hesitations about pulling the trigger from deep.
Those games during the summer did a lot to stir up excitement in the Kings’ fanbase, and the rest of the league started to really make note of what Murray was doing as well. Of course, though, that was just Summer League. The real season was yet to come.
In his first taste of NBA action in a close loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Keegan Murray scored 19 points on only 10 shots, hitting three shots from downtown. He also added two blocks.
Murray pretty much looked like the same exact player we all saw in the Summer League. He plays the game like a savvy veteran, just knowing when to take shots and score. Social media showered plenty of love on the rookie during his debut performance and here are the highlights.
Murray Leading the Kings out of the Locker Room
Keegan Murray leads the Kings onto the court ahead of his NBA debut pic.twitter.com/mQtc5ABUvm
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 23, 2022
Keegan Murray Checks in for the First Time
Keegan Murray checks in for his first NBA regular season game 🙌 👏 pic.twitter.com/otjaFTmEA2
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 23, 2022
The Kings Fans Were Hyped!
Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray has entered the game. He got the fans hyped. pic.twitter.com/bJ6L0eaipj
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) October 23, 2022
Welcome to the League!
Keegan Murray's first NBA bucket! #NBARooks #KiaTipOff22
Watch his NBA debut Live Now on the NBA Apphttps://t.co/1pomR04bRi pic.twitter.com/cu15v1yBfv
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2022
No Hesitation!
First shot attempt for Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray is a three point make. pic.twitter.com/A9hGePYjvf
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) October 23, 2022
Efficient Start
Keegan Murray's first quarter was as impressive as we all expected:
8 PTS
2/2 3PT
2/2 FT
1 BLK
7 MIN— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 23, 2022
Keegan Murray has 8 points in the first 9 minutes of his NBA career.
— Mike Hlas (@Hlas) October 23, 2022
Murray Slams it Down!
Keegan Murray rises up for the alley 💪
He's up to 10 PTS in his NBA debut Live Now on the NBA App #KiaTipOff22
➡ https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/gtwuCMP8Zw
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2022
Keegan Playing his Role
Keegan Murray isn't the focal point for the Kings and that's expected.
What a phenomenal first half debut for the former Hawkeye.
10 points on 4 shots, 3 rebounds, 1 block and an assist.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) October 23, 2022
Already Looking Like a Vet
Keegan Murray looked like a veteran during his first NBA game.
Calm. Unfazed. Smooth. Efficient.
19 PTS
5 REB
2 AST
2 BLK
7/10 FG
3/6 3PT
33 MINLooks like these ⬇️ have me very excited about his potential. Great debut for the rookie. pic.twitter.com/ciDqJ70Nrh
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) October 23, 2022
Okay, I Pull Up
Keegan Murray 1-Dribble Pull-Up
I-C-Y pic.twitter.com/tyPB0U5BVT
— Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) October 23, 2022
Getting it Done on Both Ends!
Keegan Murray with the NASTY 2 on 1 transition block in the clutch to keep Sacramento's hopes alive. pic.twitter.com/f9u1UTyU9P
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) October 23, 2022
Big Time Debut!
Keegan Murray’s NBA Debut ⤵️
👑 19 PTS
👑 7-of-10 FG
👑 5 REB
👑 3 3PT
👑 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/hHjWwDbzq7— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 23, 2022
Every Bucket Scored
Here are all of Keegan Murray’s 19 points in his NBA debut. So smooth pic.twitter.com/aiY8OXNEYA
— I Love Iowa Basketball (@ILoveIowaBball) October 23, 2022
Alma Mater Showing Love
#ICYMI Keegan Murray with a terrific debut late last night for the @SacramentoKings: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks https://t.co/UKdXqhKFOi
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) October 23, 2022
Murray Battling PG-13
What an outstanding shot from USAToday's @Cary_Edmondson.
Keegan Murray guarding Paul George last night. pic.twitter.com/AhuRXcmQ3C
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) October 23, 2022
Game Respects Game
I asked Paul George after the game about Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray. George called him a “big time shooter” and said he “shoots with the best of them.” pic.twitter.com/PEINxywnTN
— Cameron Salerno (@cameronsalerno1) October 23, 2022
Murray Reflects Post-Game
Kings rookie Keegan Murray reflects on his NBA debut, the challenge of going up against Paul George, his impressive first outing in Sacramento's 111-109 loss to the LA Clippers. pic.twitter.com/6c4w1RauNX
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 23, 2022
Excitement Building in Sacramento!
"If this is what we're going to get every single night, Sacramento should be very happy."@Matt_Barnes22 and @momoragan break down Keegan Murray's NBA debut pic.twitter.com/XYUruusjrw
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 23, 2022
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